Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Group Work Challenges
With this group project, I felt that the communication went smoothly. There were a few challenges, however. The one that sticks out the most is when we were trying to coordinate the volunteering opportunity. I was initially supposed to go to volunteer at the BNNB brunch. I have meetings most Tuesday mornings so my ability to help was limited. I offered to go over early to help set up or do other prior preparations. However, it was not until late the night before the brunch that I received an email letting me know of a change in plans. I did not see the email until the next morning when I was unsure of whether or not I was needed. By the time I saw the email, it was too late for me to do anything. This glitch in communication was the only major point of concern or stress for me. Our group worked well together and acted in sensitivity to the busy and hectic schedules we all have. I enjoyed working with Patrick and Holly and would work with them again in the future.
Writing Conference
- How can I fix my citations in text?
- Is the order I am planning to complete my paper in coherent?
- What can I do to avoid turning this into a research paper?
Queens Plagiarism
A more open dialogue at Queens would greatly help the situation surrounding plagiarism in our community. Having expectations explained and out in the open would allow for students and professors to understand each other better. Many students complain that professors do not make any sense. Creating a space for dialogue on expectations in terms of citations and plagiarism.
There is also the idea of creating a mandatory workshop or session for all students to attend at some point on citing so that unintentional errors can be avoided. A workshop or session like this could also be used to deter students from intentionally copying the work of others.
An interesting idea for a penalty would be for students who are found in violation of the Honor Code based on plagiarism to give a presentation at a local school or after school program on plagiarism and why it is important to not copy and to give others credit for their words and work.
There is also the idea of creating a mandatory workshop or session for all students to attend at some point on citing so that unintentional errors can be avoided. A workshop or session like this could also be used to deter students from intentionally copying the work of others.
An interesting idea for a penalty would be for students who are found in violation of the Honor Code based on plagiarism to give a presentation at a local school or after school program on plagiarism and why it is important to not copy and to give others credit for their words and work.
Instructions
Most of my encounters with poor instructions involve driving instructions. Perhaps this could be attributed to my lack of a sense of direction, but this just means that the instructions are that much more important.
In February, I printed off instructions on how to get to the Comedy Zone to take my then-boyfriend on a date. However, the instructions were inaccurate. The website had not updated its maps recently and we soon found ourselves by an abandoned warehouse next to a railroad in an unlit area. Some say this sounds like a romantic opportunity but it was more along the lines of embarrassing and inconvenience.
In the end, it was not a major issue. We still made it in time for the show but I can no longer use that website for driving instructions--a struggle for me as I can hardly get to Target without being turned around.
In February, I printed off instructions on how to get to the Comedy Zone to take my then-boyfriend on a date. However, the instructions were inaccurate. The website had not updated its maps recently and we soon found ourselves by an abandoned warehouse next to a railroad in an unlit area. Some say this sounds like a romantic opportunity but it was more along the lines of embarrassing and inconvenience.
In the end, it was not a major issue. We still made it in time for the show but I can no longer use that website for driving instructions--a struggle for me as I can hardly get to Target without being turned around.
Complaint Letter
When I first came to Queens, I felt at home. That I would be taken care of here and that I was in a place where I could succeed. One of the unique characteristics of Queens which endears the school to me, is that they truly care about the community and the impact they have. This can be seen by the push to submit a lot of work online and use online textbooks and reading components in classes.
This is an admirable effort which has saved students money while also helping the environment. However, to submit assignments online, use online textbooks, read and download articles from the internet, you need to have solid and consistent internet service. At Queens, we are blessed to have campus-wide Wifi as well as ethernet ports to facilitate these things.
Except we do not truly have these things. The Wifi is known to flicker regularly--particularly in some of the dorms. There is the solution of an ethernet cable (though inconvenient) but this is not a feasible solution in some rooms. For example, South Residence Hall's rooms only have one ethernet port for the entire suite in the living room. For a suite of four people, trying to access one ethernet port that is ineffectively located (behind the television stand in the living room) is pointless.
I ask that action is taken to improve the quality of the internet at our school so that we can continue saving the environment as well as the wallets of students. It would be in the best interest of the school to hold off another few years on pursuing a football program and instead focus on the issue of internet service.
This is an admirable effort which has saved students money while also helping the environment. However, to submit assignments online, use online textbooks, read and download articles from the internet, you need to have solid and consistent internet service. At Queens, we are blessed to have campus-wide Wifi as well as ethernet ports to facilitate these things.
Except we do not truly have these things. The Wifi is known to flicker regularly--particularly in some of the dorms. There is the solution of an ethernet cable (though inconvenient) but this is not a feasible solution in some rooms. For example, South Residence Hall's rooms only have one ethernet port for the entire suite in the living room. For a suite of four people, trying to access one ethernet port that is ineffectively located (behind the television stand in the living room) is pointless.
I ask that action is taken to improve the quality of the internet at our school so that we can continue saving the environment as well as the wallets of students. It would be in the best interest of the school to hold off another few years on pursuing a football program and instead focus on the issue of internet service.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Writing Process
My writing process begins with an outline or list of what I want to cover in my essay. I also make a list of any related words or phrases that are related to the topic and might work well. When I begin to start the paper, I take the bullet points of the outline and start to work them into sentences and coherent arguments. It is a toss up between the introduction and conclusion as for what I do last. Both are very difficult and give me similar issues with originality and flow.
After I finish the essay, I try to have a friend or professor review my paper and give me feedback. If this happens, I look at the feedback and edit my paper based on their input. If I cannot find someone else to give feedback, I take some time away from the paper and comb through it later. Once revisions have been made, I read through the paper a few more times to make sure that the paper makes sense and flows well. Then I turn it in and hope for the best
After I finish the essay, I try to have a friend or professor review my paper and give me feedback. If this happens, I look at the feedback and edit my paper based on their input. If I cannot find someone else to give feedback, I take some time away from the paper and comb through it later. Once revisions have been made, I read through the paper a few more times to make sure that the paper makes sense and flows well. Then I turn it in and hope for the best
Fridays
Fridays are generally fantastic. However, I normally have several meetings and 7 AM physical therapy so that makes the day a bit more difficult. Thursdays, on the other hand, are the best. They are very buys days but worth every minute.
In the morning, I work a two-hour tutoring shift. Normally, I tutor Spanish which I enjoy. Most of the people I work with try hard and want to understand the material. And when I do not have any appointments, I am able to catch up on my own work or talk with some of the other tutors--I love my job and fellow tutors so I am happy either way. In the afternoon, I have two classes: world politics and an honors seminar on the Sixties. Both classes are interesting and pass quickly. After my last class, I go to volunteer at the Grove where I lead a middle school afterschool program for local students (generally ones from low-income families). Even though they can be a handful most of the time, those kids never fail to brighten my day and end my week on a positive note. In the evening, there is normally a MORE meeting (the interfaith club) which has several great people who are nice to spend time around. Despite the chaos and constant movement of my Thursdays, I enjoy them the most.
In the morning, I work a two-hour tutoring shift. Normally, I tutor Spanish which I enjoy. Most of the people I work with try hard and want to understand the material. And when I do not have any appointments, I am able to catch up on my own work or talk with some of the other tutors--I love my job and fellow tutors so I am happy either way. In the afternoon, I have two classes: world politics and an honors seminar on the Sixties. Both classes are interesting and pass quickly. After my last class, I go to volunteer at the Grove where I lead a middle school afterschool program for local students (generally ones from low-income families). Even though they can be a handful most of the time, those kids never fail to brighten my day and end my week on a positive note. In the evening, there is normally a MORE meeting (the interfaith club) which has several great people who are nice to spend time around. Despite the chaos and constant movement of my Thursdays, I enjoy them the most.
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